Brian Moran at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Photo by Kenton Ngo
It's about fight.
I'll spend this primary season splitting hairs about the relative progressive records of Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds (Terry McAuliffe will try to convince you he has a record to be debated, hopefully to no avail), but that's not the real reason I support Brian Moran.
I'll spill thousands of pixels on detailed arguments why an urban candidate is the most electable, or why Brian Moran is best positioned to beat Bob McDonnell, and why suburban voters are the force to be reckoned with, but that's not the real reason I support Brian Moran.
I'll probably even pen thousands of words this cycle on the policy paper one-upmanship that's already occurring, whether it be on energy or the economy, but that's not the real reason I support Brian Moran.
In my time in politics, I have learned that while viewing a primary choice through those narrow lenses (record, electability, and policy) is useful and necessary, they're more academic questions. We will have the occasional race where a Democrat is really an elephant with an ill-fitting donkey suit, but I have faith this year that I will enthusiastically support whoever we nominate against Bob McDonnell.
At the end of the day, the practical reasons we support a primary candidate are secondary to the big picture argument. Most Democrats will be pleased to have any of the three as governor, as they agree with most of us. The policy differences are small compared to the difference with Republicans, electability is a purely academic argument until Election Day, and policy propositions are mere sketches of what might actually happens after the new Governor moves into Capitol Square.
At the end of the day, it comes down to what my heart says.
So the question is posed: what does each candidate say about the party, and what does each candidate say to my heart?
Some have accused the Moran campaign of losing its way, of being scared of Terry McAuliffe. I know, however, what I want out of my candidate--a "fighter, not a fundraiser" who is tenacious enough to attack when necessary.
Primaries are emotional more than rational, and as someone who believes in the power of the rational, it's difficult to say I can't put it any more clearly than this. This year, I'll be casting my vote for Brian Moran simply because I believe he'll fight hardest for us all.
I'll get to the rest later. |
